In late December, when Amazon Prime Video received their schedule of Thursday night NFL games in the spring, famed play-by-play announcer Al Michaels and his crew recognized the Jets and the Jaguars.
“When the schedule was released, we looked at this game and asked, ‘What is that doing?’” Michaels revealed to The Post.
Now, the matchup between the Jets (7-7) and Jaguars (6-8) has playoff implications.
“But that’s the NFL, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Michaels, 78, who has almost witnessed everything, including Mark Sanchez’s buttfumble a decade ago.
Michaels has played a pivotal role in Amazon becoming the first exclusive streamer of NFL games.
(Note: If you do not have a Prime subscription, you can watch the Jets on Fox 5 in the New York metropolitan region.)
Michaels is perhaps the best NFL TV play-by-play announcer, as he has spent virtually his entire career standing beside Howard Cosell, John Madden, and Cris Collinsworth on Sundays and Mondays.
Michaels has become a focal point of games throughout the season because he has not been hesitant about, to use a term from Cosell, “Telling it like it is.”
Michaels stated, “It has to do with that specific game, as opposed to saying the schedule stinks.”
This game was Colts-Broncos in Week 5, and Michaels occasionally sounded more like Waldorf or Statler than a play-by-play announcer.
Al Michaels has performed brilliantly in his debut season with Amazon, albeit with a touch of grumpiness.
“It’s so strange, because one of the things that night that were played back to me was that I remarked, ‘This was the type of game that would be a sixth regional on CBS,’” Michaels added. “What I actually said was, ‘[Bernhard] Raimann, this is the type of game that, if you’re this guy, you want to have on the No. 5 regional on CBS,’ referring to an offensive tackle rookie for Indianapolis who committed four penalties and gave up two sacks. “There is a difference there.”
In this case, your point is valid. Nonetheless, Michaels has occasionally sounded a tad sour during games this season.
Michaels did not choose to depart NBC after calling his record-tying eleventh Super Bowl in February. The network decided to replace him with Mike Tirico, who had been patiently waiting in the on-deck circle for years, on “Sunday Night Football.” Though Michaels has a “emeritus” role with NBC and will announce a playoff game for them next month, it was notable that he went weeks without mentioning “NBC” when he promoted “Sunday Night Football” during his weekly promos for the Sunday and Monday games. According to some, it was even observed within the NBC building. Was it intentional?
“Not really,” Michaels responded. “Sunday evening. No. No. I never even considered it. When you say “Sunday evening,” kids are aware. When I say “Monday night,” I probably don’t refer to ESPN. They know the location.”
The inference was that there was bad blood between him and NBC regarding Tirico’s replacement.
“No, no,” Michaels responded. Someone is trying to fabricate information about that. That has no bearing on it. There, I have an emeritus contract.”
Michaels has a multimillion-dollar, three-year contract with Amazon and plans to return for Year 2.
Michaels stated, “I have an abundance of energy.” “I still enjoy my work. So I am prepared to act. There is no doubt about that. I mean, why would you want to leave?”
Kirk Herbstreit, Michaels’ partner, stated at the beginning of the season that he believed the pair to be the finest in sports. Although they have not yet attained this level, having a consistent team in a publication’s first year is an accomplishment.
Michaels stated, “I believe the trouble with Kirk is that early on, some people told me, ‘He’s a college man.’” What is he aware of the NFL?’”
Michaels stated that Herbstreit’s job for ESPN college football gives him an advantage due of the NFL’s continual change. Michaels enjoys the look and feel of the broadcast with longtime producer Fred Gaudelli and the crew the most.
Michaels stated, “I’m most proud of the fact that it appears like a major television broadcast.” “I believe some individuals thought, ‘What is this? And Amazon is coming in, but they have no infrastructure; will it be pitiful?’ It has been everything but. I’d put this show up against any current television program.”
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